Question

(Case evaluation, Questions 26-39)

            In a study, the researchers were interested in seeing whether if Ariana Grande’s music can be sexually stimulating to men. The researchers decided to include male students from Hunter College, age ranging from 18-20, without pre-diagnosed sexual dysfunctions. Out of the possible N=10,538 students who meet the criteria for participation, 200 men were randomly selected by computer to participate. After having the participants sign the informed consent, the researchers randomly assigned these subjects into 4 groups (N=50 per group): Group A would listen to Ariana Grande’s music for 2 hours, Group B would watch without the sound of Ariana’s music videos for 2 hours, Group C would watch Ariana’s music videos with sound, and finally, Group D would not listen to any music nor watching any video, but instead they were told to “relax with their eyes open”. Every group consisted of 30% Caucasian, 30% African Americans, 30% Asian Americans, and 10% from a variety of ethnical background. All testing cubicles were sound proof and without windows. Due to the restraining number of cubicles, Group A and B were tested in the morning from 8-10am while Group C and D were tested in the afternoon from 2-4pm. All participants were told that they should not eat too much, nor should they drink any beverage containing caffeine before the experiment. After the 2 hours testing segment, participants took a survey and answered about how sexually excited they feel. Last, participants were given a one-question short survey asking whether if they noticed that it was Ariana Grande’s music/video (or “relaxing with eyes open”) that they were entertained with. Since the Group D was not entertained with anything, the researchers felt bad and therefore decided to compensate them with $100. Group A, B, & C, however, were not compensated for their time. After participants were finished with the experiment, they were given a brief pamphlet letting them know the true purpose of the experiment.

30. What was the dependent variable?
    1. The group that the participants are in
    2. The music/video
    3. The sexual feeling
    4. Result received on the survey

31. What type of measurement scale was the dependent variable?
    1. Ratio                             c) Nominal                    e) Could be any of the above
    2. Interval                         d) Ordinal                     

32. Any person who participated in this study is a:
    1. Sample                          c) Subject/Participant
    2. Selection criteria             d) Population

33. Which variable of the study was not controlled and might be a confounding variable?
    1. Gender of the participants
    2. Everybody was told not to eat too much or drink anything with caffeine before the study commenced
    3. Age of the participants
    4. Time of the day that the participants were tested

Answer 1

1. The correct answer is Option C. The sexual feeling is the dependent variable.

2. The participants were measured on the interval scale.

3. The correct answer is Option C. The individual is a subject or participant.

4. The correct answer is Option D. Time of the day that the participants were tested.